Sunday November 10, 2024 Chandi Deitmer

Theme:  "Things That Go Bump in the Night" - Four monsters are hidden under four beds.

24. Thought experiment illustrating special relativity: TWIN PARADOX.

27. Dish garnish: MICROGREEN. Ogre under Twin.

44. Ryan Gosling's role in "The Fall Guy": BODY DOUBLE.

52. Italian blue cheese: GORGONZOLA. Gorgon under Double.

86. Wonderland resident who starts out as a chess piece: WHITE QUEEN.

94. Arrived nonchalantly: STROLLED IN. Troll under Queen.

115. Big name in baking products: KING ARTHUR.

119. Conway Twitty ballad covered by Blake Shelton: GOODBYE TIME. Yeti under King.

Reveal:

66. Common childhood fear, examples of which may jump out at you four times in this puzzle?: THE MONSTER UNDER THE BED.

See the answer grid below.

Each monster has the same letter count as the bed it's hidden. This makes Chandi's theme entry choices super tight.

 

Across:

1. Dandy: FOP.

4. Taiwanese laptop brand: ACER. Their monitor is pretty good.

8. Repeats a mantra, perhaps: CHANTS.

14. Out of bed: ASTIR.

19. Big day for a startup, briefly: IPO.

20. "__ might say ... ": SOME.

21. Zimbabwe's capital: HARARE.

22. Maestro Zubin: MEHTA. Born in Bombay. We also have 50. Conductor's reference: SCORE.

23. Printer tray abbr.: LTR.

26. Opponent: ENEMY.

29. Plant also known as a strangler fig: BANYAN TREE.

31. Dijon darling: CHERI.

32. Crew team's workout machines: ERGS. Rowing ergometers.

34. Italian hard cheese, briefly: PARM.

35. Humble poker hand: PAIR.

36. Candy with unique dispensers: PEZ.

39. Caesar lettuce: ROMAINE.

42. Like the Vatican's Bramante Staircase: SPIRAL.

48. Add new audio: DUB.

49. Skin opening: PORE.

54. Gobs: LOADS.

56. Shape sometimes made by a comfy cat: LOAF.

57. Couture monogram: YSL.

58. Paris runway spot: ORLY.

59. Routine: ACT.

60. Like sesame seeds in furikake, typically: TOASTED. My favorite is the nori furikake.

63. Not-so-powerful chess piece: PAWN.

74. Floors: AWES.

75. "Well, isn't that fancy!": OOH LA LA.

76. Blonde, brown, or red drink: ALE.

77. Symbol on many a flag: STAR. Chinese flag has five stars.

80. Comic Margaret: CHO.

83. Penicillin origin: MOLD.

84. Singer Zayn: MALIK.

90. JV player's goal: A TEAM.

92. Gin flavorer: SLOE.

93. Buccaneer's cry: ARR.

96. Worth-y things: ASSETS. And 2. Vision-ary?: OPTIC. Nice clues.

98. Evidence board need: PUSHPIN.

100. "Case of the Ex" R&B singer: MYA.

101. Big name in brut: MOET.

102. Diamond overlay?: TARP. Another great clue. Baseball field.

103. Farm-centric org.: USDA.

107. Capital on the Svislach: MINSK.

109. Sound judgment: HORSE SENSE.

118. Newspaper sect.: OBITS.

121. Poem of tribute: ODE.

122. Runs like a gazelle: LOPES.

123. Dig into an issue: GO DEEP.

124. Songwriter Sands: EVIE.

125. Geologic span: EON.

126. Basic question type: YES-NO.

127. Kumquat color: ORANGE.

128. Neptune's domain: SEAS.

129. Retired jet: SST.

Down:

1. Polaroid need: FILM.

3. One looking for on-deck loot: PORCH PIRATE. Hope it's not a problem in your area.

4. Queens neighborhood on the East River: ASTORIA.

5. Women who "don't cry," per a Brooks & Dunn song: COWGIRLS.

6. Leader in Kuwait: EMIR. 10. Like a 6-Down: ARAB.

7. Rapp of "Mean Girls": RENEE.

8. Momofuku founder David: CHANG. Try his chili crunch.

9. Chuckle syllable: HAR.

11. __ colada: tropical mocktail: NADA.

12. Disney movie set inside a computer: TRON.

13. Hot: SEXY.

14. Fervent agreement: AMEN AMEN.

15. Nissan sedan: SENTRA.

16. Lobster __: THERMIDOR. A la Wikipedia, it's a "French dish of lobster meat cooked in a rich wine sauce, stuffed back into a lobster shell, and browned". Never had this.

17. [Puts finger to nose]: IT ME.

18. "My 21st Century Blues" singer: RAYE. British singer.

25. Word in a ratio: PER.

28. Raised: REARED.

30. Speed skater Ohno: APOLO.

33. Mole: SPY.

37. Daring, in a way: EDGY.

38. Hectic spots: ZOOS.

39. "On the Basis of Sex" monogram: RBG. Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
 
40. Invalid: NULL.

41. Online marketplace: EBAY.

42. Sound of slime hitting the ground: SPLAT. And 65. Collision sound: WHAM.

43. Pupper: POOCH.

44. Extra helping hand: BOOST.

45. Pontificate: ORATE.

46. Leave for later: DEFER.

47. Bus. card address: URL.

51. Refinement: CLASS.

53. Comfort __: ZONE.

55. Put away: STOW.

61. Protozoan cell count: ONE.

62. Spokesowl who celebrates app streaks: DUO. Duolingo's owl mascot Duo.

63. Red carpet designer: PRADA.

64. Trap music city, briefly: ATL.

67. Gas station shop: MART.

68. Vagabond: NOMAD.

69. Wrapped South Asian garment: DHOTI.

70. Former Liberian president __ Johnson Sirleaf: ELLEN.

71. Help for getting to the pointe: BALLET SHOES.

72. Poet Thomas Stearns __: ELIOT.

73. Hockey ruses: DEKES.

77. Trade: SWAP.

78. Drive-__ window: THRU.

79. Taxi spots?: AIRSTRIPS. Aviation "taxi".

80. Corp. leader: CEO. And 81. Leader's spot: HELM.

82. "__ Murders in the Building": ONLY.

85. Go-ahead: ASSENT.

87. Strong coffee: ESPRESSO.

88. Some swabs: Q-TIPS.

89. Caterer's teapot: URN.

91. ABBA jukebox musical: MAMM MIA.

95. Contents of un lac: EAU.

97. Fancy fetes: SOIREES.

99. Rush: HASTEN.

104. Videoconferencing app: SKYPE.

105. Sputter out: DIE.

106. Puts money in: ANTES.

108. Accolades: KUDOS.

109. "__ mackerel!": HOLY.

110. Instrument similar to a suona: OBOE. Chinese instrument. I just call it laba.

111. Breakfast brand: EGGO.

112. American-born Jordanian royal: NOOR.

113. Fizzy drink: SODA.

114. Pristine place: EDEN.

116. Be generous: GIVE.

117. Monopoly payment: RENT.

120. Ask for more puppy chow: BEG.

Happy 78th birthday to Husker Gary's wife Joann and her twin sister Joyce. Here they're with their mom Martha, who passed away in August last year at the age of 100. 

C.C.

Sunday April 28, 2024 Chandi Deitmer

Theme:  "Obviously!" - Each common phrase is clued as if IT does not exist.

23A Poorly put together trays?: CRUDITE PLATTERS.

39A. Donkeys who got caught in the rain?: WET BURRITOS.

51A. Pews?: PRIORITY SEATING.

83A. Khaki work uniform?: TITAN OF INDUSTRY.

92A. Request from one who prefers dry mashed potatoes?: ZERO GRAVITY.

115A. Energy supplies that are just OK?: FINITE RESOURCES.

Reveal:

65. "We all see the obvious here, right?," and how to make six long answers in this puzzle match their clues?: IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.

Sometimes we have themes where letter or letter string appear in the theme entries but ignored in the clues. We could just have wacky theme answers instead. But today is a good example of why the letter should be included. Perfect reveal and rationale.

Got this picture of when I googled Chandi. She's lower left. Looks who's on upper right? Patti!

Across: 

1. Luminescent gems: OPALS.

6. Fish head?: CRAW. OK, Crawfish.

10. "Who Let the Dogs Out" group __ Men: BAHA. The only Baha Men song I know.

14. Act extempore: AD LIB.

19. Lear daughter: REGAN. Have to mention our local girl Regan Smith.

20. Breakfast scramble: HASH.

21. Some deleted contacts: EXES.

22. Enlightenment philosopher Thomas: PAINE.

26. Mary-in-mourning piece: PIETA.

27. Marshmallow Man in "Ghostbusters": STAY-PUFT. Learning moment for me.

28. Capital of Tibet: LHASA.

29. Literary whaler: PEQUOD. "Moby-Dick".

30. Start and end of a faceoff?: EFS. Letter F.

31. __ of strength: FEAT.

32. Boyfriend: BEAU.

33. Rap's Snoop __: DOGG.

37. God destined to slay the sea serpent Jörmungandr: THOR.

45. "Snowy" bird: EGRET.

47. Ice rink leap: AXEL.

49. Self-satisfied: SMUG.

50. Bankrupt: RUIN. Verb "bankrupt".

54. Sacred text: BIBLE.

55. Bob in the Basketball Hall of Fame: PETTIT. No idea. Wikipedia says he's NBA's first MVP.

56. Dutch painter Frans: HALS.

57. Pat Benatar's "Love __ Battlefield": IS A.

59. Historic space station: MIR.

60. Stern direction?: AFT. Stern of a boat.

61. Stinging insect: WASP.

62. Dorky one: DWEEB.

64. Picnic pest: ANT.

70. Citrusy suffix: ADE.

71. Piccata bud: CAPER. Lots of buds.

72. Marine mammal in a matrilineal group: ORCA.

73. Anti-fraud org.: BBB.

74. Bear's lair: DEN.

75. Reddit forum for inquiries: AMA. Ask Me Anything.

76. Early educ.: PRE-K.

77. Potent potion: ELIXIR.

81. Purple or green herb: BASIL. Never had purple basil. Cilantro is the only herb used in Chinese cooking.

88. Checkout unit: ITEM.

89. Waffle __: IRON.

90. Identical: SAME.

91. Spine-chilling: EERIE.

96. 95-Down beds, maybe: COTS. 95. Steppes tent: YURT.

98. Talk back to: SASS.

99. Yule tune: NOEL.

100. "No problem!": SURE.

102. Spy org.: CIA.

104. Surreptitious one: SLY FOX.

107. French composer Gabriel: FAURE. Another learning moment.

109. Former police procedural starring Kathryn Morris: COLD CASE.

114. Jazz great Armstrong: LOUIS.

117. "You mean a lot to me": I CARE.

118. "This __ fair": ISN'T.

119. Pool table fabric: FELT.

120. Tempts: BAITS.

121. Yearned (for): PINED.

122. Flight nos.: ETAS.

123. Takes a load off: SITS.

124. "Thus ... ": AND SO.

Down:

1. Fantasy baddies: ORCS.

2. Impudent: PERT.

3. Tlaxcala water: AGUA.

4. Pop's __ Gaga: LADY.

5. Dig (at): SNIPE.

6. Toque: CHEF'S HAT. Dim sum chef wears this type of tall hat.

7. Paying strict attention: RAPT.

8. Comm. system with visual cues: ASL.

9. Beluga, e.g.: WHALE.

10. Gets feedback from an early audience: BETA TESTS.

11. Weapons thrown at targets, in some social settings: AXES.

12. Greek goddess of childbirth: HERA.

13. Beast of burden: ASS.

14. Seem (to be): APPEAR.

15. Rum cocktail: DAIQUIRI. Named after a Cuban iron mine, according to Wikipedia.

16. In __ of: LIEU.

17. Engrossed by: INTO.

18. Drop of sweat: BEAD.

24. Clump of hair: TUFT.

25. Defrost: THAW.

29. Word that may be replaced by a slash: PER.

31. NPR show hosted by Terry Gross: FRESH AIR. Used to listen to her faithfully at 8:00pm our time.

32. Open carriages: BUGGIES.

33. Lily-Rose __ of "The Idol": DEPP. Just had her last Sunday. 

34. Fantasy baddie: OGRE.

35. Determination: GRIT.

36. Location metadata: GEOTAG.

38. Skin care brand: OXY.

40. "Ew, stop sharing": TMI.

41. Steamed bite: BUN.

42. Abolitionist Harriet: TUBMAN.

43. Conditioning, as a bamboo cutting board: OILING.

44. Hägar's dog: SNERT.

46. Like some glasses: TRIFOCAL.

48. Path of __ resistance: LEAST.

52. Gp. concerned with crashes: IT TEAM. Hey, we have IT here. A few other short words also.

53. Swiss instrument traditionally made from red pine: ALPHORN. Ricola.

54. Pastel shade: BABY BLUE.

58. Ocean floor: SEABED.

61. "Raw" org.: WWE.

62. Puckered expression in a selfie: DUCK FACE.

63. Iga Swiatek's org.: WTA.

65. Conceptualize: IDEATE.

66. More on edge: TENSER.

67. __ awareness: SPATIAL.

68. Twistable cookies: OREOS.

69. Birds mummified in ancient Egypt: IBISES.

70. Madison Ave. industry: AD BIZ. 78. Bonus, in 70-Down lingo: XTRA.

76. Ensembles associated with Hillary Clinton: PANTSUITS.

79. "Bearded" flower: IRIS.

80. Marbled breads: RYES.

82. "Try to stop me now!": I'M ON FIRE.

84. Nickname that drops -ing: IRV.

85. French pronoun: TOI.

86. "TBH" kin: IMO. To be honest.

87. Actual expenditures: NET COSTS.

93. Gave a boost: GOOSED.

94. Film critic Reed: REX.

97. Rural tower: SILO.

101. Underwater ecosystems: REEFS.

103. "Mrs. America" Emmy winner Uzo: ADUBA.

104. Marina space: SLIP.

105. Centers: LOCI.

106. Currency also known as the renminbi: YUAN. Renmin = People. Bi = Currency.

107. Rock, in Rock, Paper, Scissors: FIST.

108. __ Mae Bullock: Tina Turner's birth name: ANNA. Did not know this.

109. Gaul or Breton: CELT.

110. Ocean Spray prefix: CRAN.

111. Base's chemical opposite: ACID.

112. Complete groups: SETS.

113. Provincial petrol provider: ESSO.

115. Old-timey "ugh": FIE.

116. Camping gear co-op: REI. Stands for Recreational Equipment, Inc.

C.C.

Sunday February 11, 2024 Chandi Deitmer & Matthew Stock

Theme: "Center of Attention" - HALFTIME SHOW is orderly added to each common phrase.

21. Growling or barking, e.g.?: DOG THREAT. Dog treat.

28. Existence fueled by rotini and tagliatelle?: PASTA LIFE. Past life.

30. Driveway mistake?: GRAVEL ERROR. Grave error.

43. "You're talking to a haunted house expert here"?: I KNOW FRIGHT.  I know, right?

47. Obnoxious poster in the r/wellsfargo Reddit?: BANK TROLL. Bank roll.

63. Rant against the sun?: DAY TIRADE. Day trade.

69. Providers of room service for musicians' tours?: BAND MAIDS. Band-aids.

81. Intense "don't blink" contests?: STARE WARS. Star Wars.

86. Opening dis at a roast?: FIRST SLIGHT. First light.

101. Erratic radiator?: FUSSY HEATER. Fussy eater.

103. Gigs as conductors and percussionists?: TEMPO JOBS. Temp jobs.

112. Casualwear at the pub?: BAR SWEATS. Bar seats.

Sure hope circles all show up in your paper. Otherwise, some solvers might have missed the extra layer in this theme.

As I mentioned last week, 12 entries in exact order is very demanding. You just can't move theme around or put some in the Down slots to ease the filling. Both both our constructors are pros.

Across:

1. Spot on a die: PIP.

4. Heel's opposite: FLAT. Shoe.

8. Relax: CHILL.

13. Broken bone's protector: CAST.

17. "You really think that of me?": AM I.

18. Take care of: SEE TO.

19. Casual layer: HOODIE.

20. "Barbie Girl" band: AQUA.

23. Overacted: EMOTED.

24. Hide furtively: LURK.

25. Rebel leader in a space opera: LEIA.

26. Iowa crop: CORN.

33. Thick lumps: GLOBS.

34. Smidgens: IOTAS.

35. Like the full-moon festival Boun That Luang: LAOTIAN. Boun = "Festival". That Luang ="Sacred Stupa",

38. Morsels: BITS.

41. Fig. calculated at a checkup: BMI. Body Mass Index. Also 61. Back muscle, casually: DELT. Stuff Andy is interested in. This used to be his bed room, he turned it into an exercise room during COVID. He now sleeps in my old room.

 

42. FYI kin: BTW.

51. Over yonder: THERE.

52. Soft ball: NERF.

54. German "no": NEIN.

55. Unit in many a Zillow listing: ACRE.

58. Food drive donations: CANS.

60. "Parenthood" actress Whitman: MAE. She plays one of the daughter in "When a Man Loves a Woman".

62. Not again: ONCE.

65. Target: GOAL.

66. SmackDown figures: WRESTLERS.

68. Ultra big: MEGA.

71. Street: ROAD. 40. Italian 71-Across: STRADA.

72. Pocket-size: MINI.

73. Ambulance fig.: EMT.

74. Fashion monthly: ELLE.

75. "__ move": YOUR.

76. Lucy of "Pretty Little Liars": HALE.

77. __ monster: GILA.

79. Boise State's home: IDAHO.

90. Menopause treatment, briefly: HRT. Hormone Replacement Therapy.

91. Little taste: SIP.

92. Himalayan creature: YETI. And 119. Himalayan creature: YAK.

93. Like ears with studs: PIERCED.

95. Crete's highest pt.: MT IDA.

97. Was out: SLEPT.

107. Suckling spot: TEAT.

108. "My mistake!": OOPS.

109. Surrounding energy: AURA.

110. Title girl in Kay Thompson books: ELOISE.

116. Climber's hold: CRAG.

117. Straightforward: CANDID.

118. Shrek and Fiona: OGRES.

120. Seep: OOZE.

121. Palms, e.g.: TREES.

122. Group between boomers and millennials: XERS. Born between 1965 and 1980.

123. Intel seeker: SPY.

Down:

1. __ see ew: stir-fried noodle dish: PAD. Lots of soy sauce.

 

2. "If u ask me ... ": IMO.

3. Jargon with terms ending in -ay: PIG LATIN.

4. Born to be wild: FERAL.

5. 2022 U.S. Women's Open golf champ Minjee: LEE. Australian golfer. Her parents are from Korea.

6. Going slowly: AT A CRAWL.

7. Forest spirit in a Miyazaki classic: TOTORO. From "My Neighbor Totoro".

8. Dot follower: COM.

9. __ skirt: HOOP.

10. Collar attachment: ID TAG.

11. Von Trapp daughter: LIESL.

12. Resulted in: LED TO.

13. Four-letter name of a radio station, e.g.: CALL SIGN.

14. Word heard in a Spanish class roll call: AQUI. Here.

15. Ride the waves: SURF.

16. Confiscate: TAKE.

18. Backs (away): SHIES.

19. Playwright Ibsen: HENRIK.

22. Brand of hiking sandals: TEVA. Hebrew for "nature".

27. Naan kin: ROTI.

29. Jacobson of "Broad City": ABBI.

30. The "Gee" in "Bee Gees": GIBB.

31. Tomato type: ROMA.

32. Pop icon John: ELTON.

36. Put into a pot: ANTE.

37. Japanese drama: NOH.

39. Epiphany trio: THE MAGI.

42. "The Vanishing Half" author Bennett: BRIT.

44. "Be ready to prove your age": WE CARD.

45. Comes apart at the seams: FRAYS.

46. Let out: RENT.

48. Massage: KNEAD.

49. "I have to know!": TELL ME.

50. Bowling alley lineup: LANES. Boomer never would had imagined that now I need my lane also.

53. ATM charge: FEE.

56. Loops in: CCS.

57. Back in style: RETRO.

59. Literary device: SIMILE.

61. "I need the truth!": DON'T LIE.

62. Tough go: ORDEAL.

63. Close ones: DEARS.

64. Subscribe again: RENEW.

65. Assign points to, maybe: GAMIFY. Not a word I use.

66. Untamed territory: WILDS.

67. "Mambo No. 5" singer Bega: LOU.

69. "I __ of you!": BEG.

70. Landed: ALIT.

72. Wawa, for one: MART. Never heard of Wawa Mart.

75. Expert who's a real poser?: YOGI. The yoga pose-r.

76. Intrepid: HARDY.

78. Culture writer's milieu: ARTS PAGE.

80. Way cool: HIP.

82. Play area?: THE STAGE. Fun clue.

83. "Following these directions ... ": AS IT SAYS.

84. Wheels: RIDE.

85. Shadowbox: SPAR.

87. Cylindrical storage structure: SILO.

88. Lifted: HEFTED.

89. Verifiable: TRUE.

94. Collection of farm-fresh produce: CSA BOX. CSA = Community Supported Agriculture.

95. Persian greetings?: MEOWS.

96. Adhesive strip: TAPE.

98. Throw out: EJECT.

99. Big name in seltzer: POLAR.

100. Rib eye alternative: T-BONE.

102. Takes to the cleaners: HOSES.

103. Folded food: TACO.

104. 100 cents: EURO.

105. "Lucky" Grammy winner Jason: MRAZ.

106. Tots, e.g.: SIDE.

111. Close fam member: SIS.

113. Film with the Oscar-winning song "Naatu Naatu": RRR. Gimme for me.

114. Recruit: TAP.

115. __ blue: SKY.

 

Carmen sent me more Spring Festival pictures. I love the flower markets in Guangzhou.

Carmen and Lao Pan

 

 

Good Luck Fruit

Go solve this themeless Modern crossword if you have some extra time. It's edited by Anna Gundlach.

 

Tom Pepper and I made today's big puzzle for the Universal. But I have no idea where to link. It's edited by Jeff Chen.

C.C.